Pythons can be killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission - no permit required- and the FWC encourages people to kill pythons from private lands whenever possible.

Pythons may be killed at any time throughout the year from 22 Wildlife Management Areas, Public Small Game Hunting Areas and Wildlife and Environmental Areas where they are known to exist. There is no bag limit and pythons may be killed by any means other than traps or firearms (unless provided for by specific area regulations). Do not enter areas posted as “Closed to Public Access.”

Additionally, the FWC offers a no-cost Python Removal Permit to qualified people for the purpose of transporting live Burmese pythons and other conditional reptiles from three WMAs: Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger.

Permit holders must turn in all live captured pythons but can request to have the carcass returned to them. Hides and meat may be sold; however, PLEASE NOTE: Burmese pythons from Everglades National Park have been found to have very high levels of mercury; therefore, meat from pythons harvested in Florida may not be recommended for human consumption.

Python Removal Permits also allow for the live transport of conditional reptiles removed from private lands. This option is only available for CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) cooperators, nuisance trappers and government employees that need to transport conditional reptiles as part of their job duties

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2017 Agency Regulatory Plan.

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